by Andy Bowyer
One Industries Thursday Rev Up: Millville
Thursday, July 14, 2011 | 9:40 AM
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PrintHello, everyone, and welcome to the Rev Up. Time to get back to work. As the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championships prepares for the second half, both championships hang in the balance. It’s been quite the spectacle thus far with huge crowds, fist pumping race action, and a strong vibe of, “who’s it going to be this time?” While The Thunder has been choke slamming the comp in the 450 class, it has been an even more vulgar display of power with the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit crew in the 250 class.
Before I go any further, we all need to take a quick second and be grateful for the show we’ve seen so far. The TV has been strong, the tracks have been to die for, and in the middle of these “times” we’re living in, our sport has remained steadfast and is, yes, we can all pound our chests and scream, “GROWING!” Motocross, son! Our sport! Thank you to all of the sponsors, promoters, everyone that has sacrificed a TON to make sure we get to see gates drop. And not just in that slight, we’re getting to see a real product. I’m a proud and happy fan.
The crowds have been out in full force all season.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
And if things weren’t going good already, it’s time to take the charge to beautiful Millville, MN. Home of Donny Schmit. A true moto paradise that has a half dozen “Renthal Ad” moments throughout her rough, “Loamaha” track surface.
I’m done with the summer party. The smoke from the holiday fireworks has subsided. It’s time to pound the rock, become an animal, and go after these championship titles. And it’s time for us to get the shoulders back as we prepare to take it all in. Let’s roll.
250
Say what you want, but the Monster Energy/PC Juggernaut is going to continue to roll over these guys. I still don’t like it. I miss the days when the factories had some ringers in there to shake things up. It was cool when guys like Jeff Emig, Doug Henry, and even way, way more back in the day Guy “Airtime” Cooper would drop down to the tiddler class after Supercross to throw down. But, back then we bitched because there wasn’t enough competition in the premier division. I remember three full seasons of Mike Kiedrowski and Mike Larocco winning almost every national. Satellite teams came to fruition and for a while there was some true parity. Now, the PC team just owns the show. It’s so strong, that it even has the greatest battles within itself. Who’s it going to be? Rattray, series point leader Dean Wilson, or “Bad” Blake Baggett? I’ll tell you right now that as much fun as it must be to watch his team kick the teeth out of everyone, he is going to have to massage some tense moments in his hauler in the next month.
I’m looking for Wil Hahn to yank some holeshots and get into the middle of it. I’m calling for him to bang the opening holy right here and now? Anyone want action?
Wilson leads the PC juggernaut, but has teammates Blake Baggett and Tyla Rattry breathing down his neck.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
450
Everyone just better get ready to see six rounds of t-shirt swinging, beer-crushing, tonsil stretching noise with these boys. I have to give the nod to Chad Reed as being the undisputed, poop where ever he pleases, alpha male of the summer. He’s only lost one second moto all year and carries the point lead into the second half holding a stellar set of cards. The man has confidence, experience, and born again hard stamina. What can possibly stop him from earning his second outdoor title?
I give you the two Ryan’s. Each, a mountain of talent and determination. Which one do you think has the juice to climb into the ring and swing with Reedy? Both of them do. RV Park has shown he is ready to show up and blow up anytime they make the call to head to the starting line. He’s had a rough opening to the nationals, but look for him to get into the fuel and stay there for the rest of the summer. That’s one mean red head, folks.
And how about defending champion, Ryan Dungey? Milleville arrives at the most opportune time for it’s new favorite son. One of my favorite recent quotes came from my brother’s bossman, Richard Childress when he said, “The greatest victories come when preparation meets opportunity.” Suffice to say that RD5 has been preparing for the second half of the series and as he gets to kick it off with a visit to his home track, where he truly carries the mail, look for him to make a statement.
It isn’t over with each of our divisions. I’m going to go so far as to say we haven’t seen the real show yet. But it’s coming.
In closing, man, I’m so stoked for motocross right now that I'm almost choked up. Call me soft, but it ain’t like that. More like the smoke escaping from the stack of a freight train instead of tears. We’re taking the charge to Millville! Home of one of the coolest and greatest American champions ever. Site of the only time in motocross history that a man lapped second place. Coincidentally the same man rode to the last win in the greatest career of all-time! Carmichael remembers Millville. You damn right.
And there's a bunch, guys. There’s just been a lot around lately...I just heard from my man Chad Pederson that he is going to taking it to the line this weekend. We all go through a lot growing up in this sport and we continue to go through a lot. Chad Pederson, back in the day #315, was one of my heroes along with #47 Jeff Emig, #360 Denny Stephenson, and #82 Brent Peterson. Those guys used to go nuts back on the tracks on the Midwest and shaped me into the racer I would become. They’re all still my heroes, but among them the last man standing and able to pack a gate at an outdoor national is “Swap.” Go get some, bro.
Motocross, folks. Motocross gave my family and I the greatest and most unexpected life we never saw coming. I just feel so lucky that I still get to write about it. I love writing to you guys about it. We’ve only missed a week, but it feels like a year. I’m ready to see what’s going to happen this time. I’m ready to watch what we love continue to grow and blow all of our minds.
Thanks for reading, see you next week.
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HOLESHOOOOOTTT!!! With a 2 STROKE
Hope BILLC doesn't get goo on Villopoto.
Baggett needs to keep the momentum going, and Dungy is in MUST win status now. Hopefully Alex Martin does well on his mom and dads track!
Go Kyle Cunningham, top three would be awsome.
Go Heath Harrison, top 20 would be great!
Millville is one of the best on the circuit, should be good, I have a feeling there is going to be something big that happens, don't know why, I just think there is going to be a shakeup in points.
Canard is going to shake things up from here on out.
Chad Pederson, native of Ft. Dodge Iowa, also Home of Justin Brayton and Teddy Maier who is once again racing the Canadian Nationals.
3 very fast guys all from a small city of about 33,000 in Iowa.
Give it up for District 22!!!!
Chad pederson owns and operatates a Godfathers Pizza in Minnesota now.
Used to race Pederson and Denny Stephenson from Nebraska several times a year back in the good ole 1980's.
gonna be HOT and wet here in MN! with 50% chance of thunderstorms Sat. with 95º and humid! Go Dungey!
Another good read Andy I alway look forward to "Rev Up" 2 weeks ago I was all confused Friday morning and was thinking Millvile was on not Red Bud I was tired from driving 750 miles in 12 1/2 house from Dallas to the Northeast coner of Mo just on the Iowa Ill border guess you could call it car lag? Anyhooo yes it been a great outdoor season with a who will win this week show. Yes Motocross is the real thing. I have raced all over but dont think I ever got to race Millvile? Yes I raced all over the midwest from 72 till 78 whan I moved to Texas.
Personnaly I hope Reed pulls it all off and wins it out. and for the 250's hey I miss the 125's "big" Blake Baggett will probably get the job done. All we can do today is wonder how fast Trey will get to race speed and maybe even raise the bar for the 450 title chase, It should only get beter! I hope everyone stays safe and makes it to the end. LETS MOTO!!!!!!!
Yep, I lapped everyone. lapped you to if you were out there.
Hopefully,we wiil have some great racing between the title contenders.If the AMA doesn't over prep the track and make it one lined like all the other races ran so far.
Another note yes I raced district's 22,17 and 18 Iowa, Mo and ILL in the 70s and when Racer X did the top fifty for a while they left out the first Iowan to get a National nbr he was Dewayne Bonnet he was a pretty fast dude in the time.
RD & RV will gap Reed, RD has been eating raw hamberg all week and RV already had it coverd. I hope to see an RV&RD; dog fight!!
@ RC hey I lapped everyone up to 2nd place and was on his rear wheel at the checkes at Cole Vally ILL. in 74 in a mud race in the 125 A/Expert class and I never got but a little mention in Cycle News but who cares ??????
Yamalink I think it might take Canard a few weeks to pick up there pase for 30+2.
My guess is 3 weeks for Canard but training in the OK heat is gonna help.
You were slower than you remember. I know the feeling, but dont worry, you will get even faster in your mind.
after attending a few other nationals i began to really cherish millville. all the other tracks have their own lil niche but millville deffinilty has the best looking track i have been to. picture perfect. if there is better i wanna see it.
GO DUNGEY!
yes the older you get the faster you were lol I have heard that before!
I thought reed had lost 2 second motos. Thunder Valley and Redbud, silley writters should at least know that. Anyway its gonna be great racing this week in both classes and look for my boy Jason Anderson to come back big this weekend after taking time off to get ready hes gonna ride like the JA312 of last year BABY!!!!!!!!!!
@ WELKER, I raced D22 & born and raised in IA, also moved to TX and live in North TX, do you still hit the tracks or race?
@ jairtime suks,, who did you race against in Iowa ??
See my earlier post, I raced against Pederson when he was on Honda and Stephenson when he had a Team Green ride, also another fast rider from Ft. Dodge IA but I don't remember his name. I bought his one yr old 1984 KX 125, and it was probably one of the best bikes i owned. Raced New Hartford, Atlantic, two tracks between Cedar Rapids and IA City, "Springville" or something like that.
@jairtimesuks I had to retire from racing in 95 my knees and body could not take it anymore. If you raced in Iowa Tipton, Iowa City and all the other tracks in in the midwest you might know me? I used to work at B & J Motorcycles in Keokuk Iowa. My last race was at Mosier Vally here in TX. #12 till 75 then #128 from then on.
@jairtime sucks , If you raced against Munson and Foy in Iowa you raced me.
@ Welker, Yeah I've raced Tipton alot, so much of it is hard to remember and alot of the track up there are different now as Montezuma is popular now.
I new alot of the people at Storm Lake Honda as they are big in MX, although I raced Kawi. I lived in the Northwest part of state.
I've raced Mosier, Village, Tyler, Lake Whitney, Oak Hill, Buffalo Creek (Canton) alot and still ride at least once a week, #84 Kawi, 2 stroke, so most people around here know me for that.
Hey I started racing in 72, riding in 67 duh I been around for a while Over 30 experts open intermideates in texas.
I ride district 16 for my home turf. I had the opportunity to ride Millville one time a few years ago. It is the only track that I have ever ridden that at the end of the day the skin on the palms of my hands hurt! No blisters, no arm pump, just simply rubbed raw! Millville will show you who is serious, and who has a shot at the title. You cannot fake Millville MN, it is a mans track! I am going with Reed, being self employed it may change our sport like RC and Showtime did. Until RC/MC came along, the teams made the clothing, boot, and goggle deals. If the factories supply bikes only and the riders run the team, anyone on the gate will be able to win that day! To put my thought into perspective; If Toyota, Ford, Chevy, and Dodge were allowed to have better cars in NASCAR, where would NASCAR be??? The last couple years supports my thesis, it has been the best we have ever seen with the depth on the gate that we have, now lets spec the bikes, and test for performance enhancing drugs like every other lagit sport!! Time to even the playing field boys!!!!!
598's $0.02
I knew a Ricky Munson, and Halstead, very fast indeed. Also Spaw I believe raced our era, good battles, stringing out everything a 2 stoke had!
Not that I'm a big fan of his; however, I expect a breakout performance from the 800, he has some history at Spring Creek, and has the speed. A week off and familiar surroundings should do him good!
Yes I forgot to mention Halstead. hey sucks (just shortened it no offense) I live in Plano are you far away? Tyler and Whiney were my favorite tracks in TX Came down in 73 to Race the TLC 5000 race at Lake whintney it was a $5000 thousand dollar race broke my chain in the first moto while inside the top 5. What a drag.... Then crashed about 3 times and got 14th in second moto. I was 16 or 17 at the time.
Jeez, what is this, the old farts club? No wonder you old farts don´t know what you´re talking about as you wave your dicks around. You´re all still living in the past. LOL.
Let me guess. You bumped your head pretty hard as well; right?
@ the old fartsclub you must be a young fart.... anyhow I gotta sign off cause one of my Gfriends just stopped by and gotta get a BJ yes us old farts hey Im only 55 still do it. while you young uns spank the chicken . ya I crashed pretty hard a few times in my 27 years of racing.
Really???? Glad I tuned in to find out where all you has-been dreamers rode.....guess I'll just go back to work....
Another great writing job Andy. Reading your articles always get's me super excited for some motocross racing. Keep up the good work!
I gotta a feeling RV and CR have been laying back and picking their spots.
We will see everything Dungey has at miilville.
Its On Now !
Ahhh.......................TGO
JD
My fantastic predictions!
CR-1
RD-2
RV-3
I was there the day RC lapped every one, it was incredible! RC was still doing all the jumps, his lap times only went up about 15 sec from first moto. Reedy was stuck in a corner, people trying to help him, then Stewert had three crashes and went backwards on the track in the same corner at the same time. While every one else was floundering in the mud Ricky just hammered it, one of the most impressive motos I have seen.
@ BD25,, you are correct,, but,, RC only did the uphill tripple once or twice. That corner was NASTY !!!
The crazy thing about RC's ride was that he wasn't really known as a GREAT mud rider. Pretty impressive, he set a lot of records that are going to be hard to match!
@oldfartsclub, should I laugh my ass off now or latter, because dude you're going to be there too one day. That's all your going to have is a hand full of great memories of riding and races.You will think that you were really fast in those days and yet you can't even remember if you wiped your ass or not. Live it while you can man, because it goes by fast. See ya on the track man. Oh ya don't fall in front of me. because I ride like Magoo. No the other Magoo! Oh shit, I hope that was a fart!
Oh ya pick for the week: Heiki Mikola, Sylvian Geboers and Gerrit Wolsink. Those guys are still racing, right?
Dean "GB" Wilson...
Congrats to this group of fantards who posted the most schizophrenic replies I have read in quite some time. I blame it on the this week's anemic "rev up."
nice article this week!! But how about a mention for John Dowd. Thee old Junk Yard Dog will be at Millville and Trey Canard is making his return debut.
common guys, how about a little love for these two also!!
Thank GOD for MOTO. I used to be a AMA Pro in 250GP in AMA Pro Roadracing.
AMA RoadRacing is gone down the SH_TTER while MX has taken off to new heights even in the crappy economy. So, both AMA MX and MX Sports should be congratulated for their unbelieveable management style and LOYALTY to US, THE FANS. Thanks Davey !!!!!
Andy,
Very distateful choice of words with your "the tracks have been to die for". Seriously dude. Do I really need to remind you why?
Dungey scores a easy 50 points this weekend. @@ Welker, I used to have a Hodaka super combat wombat, so what.
@ joemotocross589, " Dungey scores a easy 50 points this weekend." I would'nt bet on it,, Joe ...
Hey all we should start an old timers column here on Racer x site! Lets see if we can do it. What do you think? It kinda started whith Davey Cooms 40 year history articles.
PS: that last post yesterday that was not made by me my gf did that I could not delete it, I just told her to read the posts......
I scoff at people saying RC could not ride the mud when he was in fact the greatest at it. At Hangtown he came from 17th place start to win by over half a lap, then Millville and the Oakland supercross where he did all the jumps and the other riders rolled them. RC was the goat in everything even Step-Up! How about his free style moves over 100 foot jumps? He really was the greatest of all time.
@czmark - Thanks. That last post gave me the chuckle of the day.
Johnny Dowd is in the house? Go Junkyard Dog! (Unbelievable. He's almost as old as me!)